Peptides capable of modulating the function of TIRC7

Abstract

Provided are peptides capable of inhibiting proliferation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) derived from the third extracellular domain of T-cell immune response cDNA7 (TIRC7) costimulatory molecule are described. Compositions comprising such peptides and their use for the treatment of immune diseases are provided.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A peptide consisting of up to 100 amino acid residues, wherein said peptide is capable of inhibiting proliferation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells, wherein said peptide comprises a fragment of the amino acid sequence from the third extracellular domain of T cell immune response cDNA 7 protein, and wherein said peptide comprises at least the first 10 amino acids of SEQ ID NO: 1, and wherein said peptide is conjugated to a carrier molecule or structure, or to a label. 
     
     
       2. The peptide of  claim 1 , wherein said peptide comprises at least one amino acid selected from the group consisting of D-isomer amino acids and L-isomer amino acids. 
     
     
       3. The peptide of  claim 1 , further comprising a heterologous amino acid or amino acid sequence of at least one of its N- and C-terminus. 
     
     
       4. The peptide of  claim 1 , wherein said heterologous amino acid sequence comprising a His-tag or DHFR. 
     
     
       5. The peptide of  claim 1 , wherein said peptide comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:6 or 7. 
     
     
       6. A composition comprising at least one peptide of  claim 1 . 
     
     
       7. The composition of  claim 6  which is a pharmaceutical composition and further comprises a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 
     
     
       8. The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 7  further comprising an immunosuppressive. 
     
     
       9. The peptide, according to  claim 1 , wherein the carrier molecule or structure is selected from the group consisting of microbeads, liposomes, biological carrier molecules, synthetic polymers, biomaterials, and cells. 
     
     
       10. The peptide, according to  claim 1 , wherein the label is selected from the group consisting of fluorescence tags, magnetic resonance tags, radioactive tags and enzymatic tags.